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Football London
Football London
Sport
Nathan Bliss

We simulated Arsenal vs Tottenham to get a score prediction for the North London Derby

The first North London derby of the 2019/20 season will take place this weekend, as Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday.

Although both teams come into this game off the back of a defeat, there are differing levels of optimism between the two sides.

For Arsenal, despite their defeat to Liverpool last weekend, they've started the season in good form, with Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos looking like good signings so far.

Tottenham's start has been rather different, with some poor performances but decent results, until last weekend's home defeat to Newcastle.

So, what will the final score be in the derby this weekend?

And, what XI will both managers go for?

We used FIFA 19 to predict the outcome of this weekend's North London derby.

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur on FIFA 19

To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.

The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions. Obviously, as we're still using FIFA 19 for the time being, the kits aren't updated, so please use your imagination!

We predict that Arsenal will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows; Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that Tottenham will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the line-up as follows: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Winks; Lucas, Eriksen, Son; Kane.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Arsenal started the much better of the two sides, as they took just four minutes to score the opening goal of the game.

A cross from Ainsley Maitland-Niles from the right found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the back post, who leapt above Serge Aurier and powered a header past Hugo Lloris to make it 1-0.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A great start from the Gunners.

Spurs were at sixes and sevens, as they struggled to cope with the home side's pace in attack, and steel in midfield.

Arsenal doubled their lead with 26 minutes on the clock, as Nicolas Pepe turned Rose inside out, before cutting inside and launching a low cross into the Spurs area, where Aubameyang was waiting to sweep home.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Finally, Spurs kicked into life after they found themselves 0-2 down, and it didn't take them long to reduce the deficit.

Lucas Moura found Harry Kane with a lovely through ball, who had made a run in behind David Luiz, and the England striker made no mistake from just inside the area, finishing at the near post to make it 2-1.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

It was now end-to-end stuff, with both teams going all out to score the next goal.

Just before half-time, that goal came.

After a wonderful team move from Arsenal, involving Torreira, Pepe, Xhaka and Lacazette, the Frenchman found Guendouzi who had made a late run into the penalty area, who then calmly finished past Lloris to make it 3-1.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

In the second-half, Arsenal changed their gameplan, sitting back more and protecting their lead, whilst offering a real threat on the counter.

Spurs had no choice but to go for broke, and were dominant in possession, but they couldn't find a way past Sokratis and David Luiz.

With the game drawing to a close, Arsenal put a bit more gloss on the scoreline, with David Luiz scoring from a corner-kick, to secure the Gunners' bragging rights.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

The celebration directly into the camera from David Luiz tells you all you need to know about how much this meant.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

For Spurs, another wretched afternoon.

Full-time score: Arsenal 4-1 Spurs

Here are the full-time match stats.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Spurs had more possession, but Arsenal were the much bigger threat.

Nicolas Pepe was outstanding for Arsenal, registering two assists and making a real impact.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Spurs' best player was Harry Kane, who scored their only goal.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

But, it was not a good day for Heung-Min Son, who did not get into the game at all.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

This FIFA 19 simulation predicts that Arsenal will thrash Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday, with Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doing the damage for Unai Emery's side.

What do you think the score will be?

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